Tanzania enhances its digital technology, ports, scientific data to advance its blue economy
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government says it is strengthening the use of digital technologies, modern port and trade management systems, and scientific data to inform decision-making as part of efforts to advance the country’s blue economy.
Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Hamadi Masauni, made the remarks on Monday, September 7, 2026, on behalf of Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi, while addressing the Fifth International Blue Economy Conference 2026 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
Masauni said the modern blue economy requires highly skilled professionals, innovation and the capacity to adopt emerging technologies. He said higher learning and research institutions, including the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), have an important role to play in producing the human capital needed to drive transformation in the sector.
He said the success of the blue economy depends heavily on scientific research and innovation aimed at improving understanding of available resources, enhancing productivity, developing new products, adding value to marine resources and protecting the environment.
“This conference reminds us that the success of the blue economy depends on scientific research and innovation. Research will help us understand the potential of our resources, improve production, develop new products, add value to our products and protect our environment,” Masauni said.
Masauni also called on the private sector to take advantage of investment opportunities emerging from the blue economy. He identified areas including blue carbon trading, marine biotechnology, value addition to marine products and logistics services that support the development of the sector.
Meanwhile, Neema Mwanga, Director of the Natural Wealth and Resources Oversight Unit at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, said the ministry’s participation in the conference was aimed at ensuring that legal matters relating to the blue economy are effectively addressed.
Mwanga said the ministry has a responsibility to ensure that laws are investor-friendly and provide an enabling framework for managing blue economy activities, including the use, exploitation and investment in the country’s natural wealth and resources.
She said laws that create obstacles to the exploitation, utilisation and investment in the country’s natural resources are being reviewed to create a more conducive investment environment and enhance Tanzania’s ability to attract investment in the blue economy.
ALSO READ: DMI scales up training as blue economy investments grow
For his part, Chief Government Attorney at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Richard Jacopiyo, said the ministry has a responsibility to ensure that the country’s laws reflect current needs and national development priorities.
Jacopiyo said that, in line with Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050, the ministry has put in place a strategy to review various laws and ensure that they are aligned with the objectives of the Vision.
He said laws are a critical instrument for establishing an investment framework that safeguards national interests while creating an environment capable of attracting investors.
“Therefore, for the country to achieve these objectives, it needs a strong legal framework that creates an enabling environment for economic activities, particularly in the blue economy,” Jacopiyo said.
Senior State Attorney at the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Daniel Mbaki, said investment-related disputes could arise in the blue economy, particularly between investors and service providers.
Mbaki said that, given the potential for such disputes, the ministry is promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure that conflicts are resolved efficiently and in a timely manner without undermining investment activities or the development of Tanzania’s blue economy.
